DIVING DEEP WITH...
A gig that builds communities!
On the 9th October, I put together my second ever Diving Deep gig at The Holloway, Norwich. I thought I would write a little about it and then share my plans for future gigs. Thank you indulging me!
Sorry if you’ve heard this one before but the format for a Diving Deep Gig is that I interview the main act, then there is a support slot, an intermission with music selected by the main act, and then there is a performance by the main act. Diving Deep Sessions create artist-centred gigs like no other! In my last gig, we went diving deep with Janani.fx…
I couldn’t have been prouder with how it went. Janani was a great person to interview. She was a great storyteller and she really invited us all in. We then had a some poetry by local poet Thea Chitseko, which went down a right treat. Then it was time for some live music…
Kirakira
I didn’t really know what to expect as I hadn’t heard Kira’s solo stuff before but I was so impressed. Her songs were intimately human and the complexity of her songs (the chords, the finger-picking and the singing) was compelling. A bassist joined her for the last couple of songs, adding a bit of oomph and diversity to her set, rounding it all off nicely. I would definitely see her again. Really lovely.
Janani.fx
This is what live music is all about. She immerses herself in her sound, occasionally closing her eyes or dancing in the crowd, and we had no option but to immerse ourselves too. Hearing her talk about her writing process, and what music means to her, made the performance even more powerful. There were moments of storytelling, moments of ambient soundscapes and moments of big dub bass, and I was completely present for all of it, overjoyed to be part of such a connecting and inspiring experience.
Late on, there was a moment when I was at the back of the room, watching a diverse group of people all enjoying themselves on a weekday night. I gave me the encouragement I needed to keep on doing this because for the stress and time it takes to plan a gig like this, it was 100% worth it. That night will stay with me and I’m grateful to everyone who came along, everyone who helped, and of course to all of the artists. My vision and hopes for the gig, my aims to showcase interesting, brilliant music, my endeavour to promote joy, all came to fruition. And that’s why I’m planning more!
What Next?
I’m delighted to announce my next Diving Deep gig. On the 27th November, I’ll be hosting Squat Lobster, with support from Theo Sayers. Tickets here!!
Squat Lobster are impossible to define but quite possible to love. They tend to play Christmas songs but not in a Christmas way. And usually not at Christmas time, except for when it is. It’s somewhere hazily between punk and sexy. Like Santa riding a horse that he’s stolen. Or like Eartha Kitt coming down your chimney tonight.
Once again, there will be a live interview, once again there will curated music in between sets and, if I know Squat Lobster, there will be a plentiful amount of silliness.
What’s next after that?!
Well I’ve also got my favourite messy noise rock band, FEASTS, booked in for January and some divine and mystical folk pop in the form of Eliza Delf and the Wilderness booked in for February. It’s all looking incredibly exciting! Just to think this was all a fledgling idea at the beginning of the year.
I’ve already got my eye on a few more bands to book, which will always be the case, but I also want to promote more local art, more poets, more of everything!
I’ve also got my eye on a one-year anniversary special. Can I get 6 bands in on one night? Can I do lots of interviews in one night? Can I book a big venue? Lots of exciting questions and currently no answers!
I hope you’ll join me for the ride. Any advice appreciated!